I enjoyed Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, because the author creates a lifelike character. Steven shows realistic reactions to events throughout the book. When Steven finds out his brother, Jeffrey, has cancer he stops doing schoolwork to focus on him. Eventually Steven must make up this work, and while he does he thinks, “And I wanted to scream at every teacher, ‘Why are you making me do stupid busywork while my brother’s white cell count is so low…when my brother’s gums are bleeding every time he tries to brush his teeth?’’’ (132-133) By accessing emotions like fear and anger, the author creates a realistic situation with an expected reaction. The reader watches as Steven goes through the stages of grief, which everyone